Lazy Days

By Heather Hart

I had a lazy day earlier this month. I spent all day in my pajamas. And. It. Was. Awesome.

I did a little bit of work in the morning. Then I snuggled with my daughter on the couch for a bit, before settling in to watch a show on Netflix that I like, but hadn’t had a chance to see for over a month. It was great.

I’m constantly feeling stressed out about how much I have to do and how far behind I am. So just taking a day off and staying in my pajamas was super relaxing and I really enjoyed it. So come the next day I really wanted to do it again.

My pajamas were so comfy. The show was really intriguing. But I knew it wasn’t practical. I needed to get some work done in the morning and promised my kids that I would take them to the pool that afternoon. So begrudgingly got in the shower… And. It. Felt. Great.

As fun as it was to spend a day being lazy, getting clean was an even better feeling. The whole situation reminded me of our spiritual state. Satan can make anything look good, he can tempt us to stay comfortable, but coming back to Jesus, being washed by the blood of Christ, is so much better.

Why is it that that is such a hard lesson for us to learn?

Or at least to remember?

I don’t know about you, but when I pour my heart out to Jesus, really take my cares to Him, I feel so much relief. It’s like a huge burden is lifted. I feel it in my bones.

Proverbs 3:7-8 says, “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” (ESV)

That’s what turning to Jesus does. It heals us from the inside out. It brings a joy that is more refreshing than a cool drink on a hot day.

Yet too often, like that cool drink on a hot day, we forget. We are refreshed and then we move on. Or at least I do…

On my pajama day I was also putting off a conversation with God I knew I needed to have. I was scared of what it might reveal. I knew God was waiting to give me refreshment deep in my bones, but I was afraid of walking through desert to get there. Because sometimes refreshment doesn’t come easy.

We have to go and get it. Sometimes we have to work for it. We know the outcome will be worth it, but that doesn’t make wrestling with our sinfulness any easier.

Just as getting in that shower didn’t sound appealing when I was in my pajamas, allowing God to refine our hearts doesn’t always sound pleasant either. But getting out of our comfort zone is essential to our faith. We have to trust Jesus more than we trust our circumstances.

Wherever today finds you, I encourage you to have those hard talks with Jesus. Ask Him to search your heart and refine you. To make you clean. You won’t regret it.

Heather Hart is an internationally best-selling and award-winning author who has an unquenchable passion for Jesus. She knows that the one thing every girl needs is a little honesty, so she’s not afraid to get candid and share her struggles. Her hope is that, through writing, she can help others soak up the love of Jesus. You can find out more about Heather by visiting her at BooksFaithandCoffee.

Proverbs 27:17 says “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (ESV), Christian women do that for one another.

Great post! I am in a season of letting go and delegating and it is crazy hard to do. Yet every time I move my hands away from another thing, I feel like I can really breathe. God does not back us into these frenzied corners, but He instead He wants to release us from them.

I love days when I can do what I want but I must be removed from our apartment to do that, otherwise, I find myself in front of the computer doing what needs to be done. Recently, we went jeeping (4x4ing) for three days and it was great! Thanks for reminding us how important it is to take time for ourselves every once in a while.

I know this is so much deeper and more spiritual than what I focused on, but I love lazy days! Pajama days at home with my people restore me from the busy of daily life. So glad you enjoyed a comfy day at home!
(And fun to cross paths with you here, Heather!)

I struggle between enjoying a lazy day versus being productive. But there is a time for both, just not at the same time. 🙂 Important spiritual truth here: “But getting out of our comfort zone is essential to our faith. We have to trust Jesus more than we trust our circumstances.”

Dear Heather, your post strikes a nerve, literally. Recovering from major surgery, frequently my main goal is just to be comfortable. In the busyness of life, it’s also often true. Why do I forget or refrain from going to the source of all our comfort? Thanks for the gentle reminder that seeking Him is always worth it.

It’s refreshing to take a wellness day! Jesus removed himself from the crowds to refresh His mind. He also encouraged His disciples to do the same. I find that I gain energy from alone time, which allows me to hear God’s voice and what He is speaking. I need those days where I remove myself from the noise. Thank you for sharing!

Heather, it is so amazing the truths that God reveals to us even in our PJ’s. I love the poignant thoughts you share here. One point you made resonates with me. “We have to trust Jesus more than our circumstances.” That is what Proverbs 3:5-6 is all about. However,it is easier said than done, but necessary. I think a “lazy day” is sometimes needed to break the monotonous routine that we can fall into. God asks us to stay alert and be on guard. I love what you have shared. It is so nice to “meet” you. Thank you Susan for sharing this post. I hope you both have an amazing weekend and may God continue to bless you and your families.